Is there a Middle Class?
During my research on, “What is the MIDDLE CLASS?” The Left and Right wing pendants speak about the Middle Class as if they actually exist. Once the deregulation of Wall Street occurred during the Reagan, Clinton and G.W. Bushes presidencies’, the ground work was set for the destruction of America as we 40-something’s remembered it. Many distractions have been put in place to start the demise of the WORKING CLASS not the middle class. Read the following statement please and let me know if you agree or dismiss my entire thought. Remember also there are radio host, all news media outlets designed to give the average person the believe they can achieve the “American Dream.” I’m sorry to say it is a dream. Enjoy the read.
Today, the only class which, in its ‘subjective’ self perception, explicitly conceives of an presents itself as a class is the notorious ‘middle class’ which is precisely the ‘non-class’: the allegedly hard-working middle layer of society which define themselves not only by their allegiance to firm moral and religious standards, but by a double opposition to both ‘extremes’ of the social space – non-patriotic ‘deracinated’ rich corporations on the one side; poor excluded immigrants and ghetto-members on the other. The ‘middle class’ grounds its identity in the exclusion of both extremes which, when they are directly counterpoised, give us ‘class rivalry’ at its purest. The constitutive lie of the very notion of the ‘middle class’ is thus the same as that of the true Party line between the two extremes of ‘right-wing deviation’ and left-wing deviation’ in Capitalism: the ‘middle class’ is, in its very ‘real’ existence, the embodied lie, the denial of rivalry – in psychoanalytic terms, the ‘middle class’ is a fetish, the impossible intersection of left and right which, by expelling both poles of the rivalry into the position of antisocial ‘extremes’ which corrode the healthy social body (multinational corporations and intruding immigrants), presents itself as the neutral common ground of Society. In other words, the ‘middle class’ is the very form of the disavowal of the fact that ‘Society doesn’t exist’ – in it, Society does exist. This also embodies the rate of incardination of adults and juveniles alike. When an actual study is conducted we will discovered the disproportionate rate of incarceration by the countries poor and minorities. Those who create the policies/laws create a devastating situations within all cities, by removing employment, destroying families by incarcerating the male population of poor and minorities which in turn creates a vast number of young men and women being educated in the very streets cities, counties, states and government refuse to clean up. With the corrections being the next bastion of capitalism the owners have to make money. Therefore, a business is created to turn a profit. These private correction facilities need bodies, the courts send the poor and minorities to fill them up. These people who are left to their own devices to represent themselves due to the fact public attorney’s are overwhelmed with cases and it’s easier to clear their docket by encouraging the offender to take a plea. Once this happens the Jim Crow laws of old are enacted. These offenders can not vote, can find only service industry jobs, assembly line work all for relative penny’s. they have no health care, no way to provide for their families. Many of the richest families in America obtained their wealth through illegal or immoral business (bootlegging and slavery). These are the families where many of their children’s children are running our country. Why does it take millions to be able to serve your country in the capacity of a Senator or Congressmen/women. Does anyone know an average person who would be able to compete for a position for the people and by the people? Can anyone say the people in Washington actually have the Manager at your local Wendy’s in mind when they pass laws?
Financial deregulation destroyed the notion in which the American Dream can ever be achieved.
I’m jus sayin!
Do we really care about our YOUTH?
My answer to this question is NO! I’m sure there will people who say, “Well I know I care, but no one else does the way I do!” Or, I care about my own children!” Before anyone posts a comment like those examples, I’m calling you a big ass LIAR! Especially, if you are of African-American or Latin-American decent. Even if you are Caucasian, you are a LIAR!
This may shock some but not others because basically I’m calling everyone a liar. If each of us look at our homes, we believe our children are doing the right thing in public. They go to school and for the most part follow societies rules. However, those are not the children who are in danger, which results in our community being placed in danger. I’m speaking about the children who are at risk. The children who live in poverty, poor education and poor health care to name some of the problems they have. When these children venture into public with no guidance, parenting or any role model what-so-ever, what type of behavior do you think they will exhibit? When a City, County, State and the Federal Government has turned their backs on them, what type of behavior do you think they will exhibit. What happens is misery loves company, they begin to gather together and find something to hate. removing one of the components of Maslow’s Hierarchy an individual find a way to gain the missing component. We have created more laws to combat this dysfunctional part of our community. Juvenile Detention Centers, Jails and Prisons are an upgrade for many of those detained.
When arecruits a child then feds, cloths and given the illusion of family, that child will become immune to the threat of incarceration. One reason is if they come from nothing, live in the worse places, live in a very dysfunctional house hold, shit, jail is an upgrade. How can this be a deterrent when they are given many amenities some hard-working families can not afford?
So how can we deter this way of thinking? In my humble opinion, it will take the entire country to do this. No tax increases, No new programs, No new prisons, jails or juvenile detention centers. Redistribute the money already being spent and create opportunities. Opportunities are not the same for everyone, if you believe that you are living in a different world. If you speak to the majority of those incarcerated they will say over and over, “I wish I had different opportunities!” Every man who is living a positive life needs to take under his wing one or two young men and show them the way. The same for a positive woman. If their parents have taken them as far as they could, step up and contribute. You might say to yourself, “That’s not my responsibility!” You will take that statement back when/if you get accosted by one of the very youths you could have helped.
Is this modern-day Jim Crow…..The past, Poll taxes to vote, separate but “equal” schools, cheap labor. The present, felons can not vote without paying large amounts of money to have their records expunged, school districts are still separate and unequal and prisons provide cheap labor, these are only a few examples.
I ask you this, has this nation really moved forward or has created conditions to where people of color are incarcerated at a higher rate than their counterparts to keep capitalism strong? Privatizing prisons has created powerful lobbyist who push for stiffer laws, (three strikes), and our politicians follow suit by campaigning on being tough on crime.
We have created a generation of young people who will never be able to function in society unless we do something about it NOW!
I’m jus sayin!
Violence and Race!
We have an interesting dilemma in our Capital City Topeka, Ks. It is really no different from any other city of this size, but comparable to the large cities across the United States. The problems are easier to see to the trained eye.
Racism will and always be in this country. It was sewn in the Nations flag by the slave of Betsy Ross. These problems cross all color barriers and needs to be met with the same venom in which it has been forced on us with revulsion. However, we need to be smarter and instead of proving they are right by killing one another because of affiliation, we need to embrace our differences and look around us and see what is really happening.
Sounds simple right? Well, it is. Find the answers to these questions, but not limited to these questions alone violence will be reduced: How many families (of all colors) have their hands out for help for government assistance? How many rich neighborhoods have a liquor store, dope house or check cashing business on every other corner? How many families receiving government assistance live in a safe neighborhood? What is the percentage of current inmates or convicts come from a wealthy “stable home? How can deadly semi-automatic weapons make it to the inner cities? How does processed drugs, (heroin, cocaine, ecstasy etc.) make it to the streets of the inner city? How has four to five generations of gangs been allowed to prosper from our nations prisons?
If only a few of the questions were answered many of the violence would disappear. In my opinion certain elements are allowed to breed and fester to keep people employed. These issues are far beyond race. What do you think?
An Interview with the Queen of my Family
My mother turned the age of 86 years old. I went to visit her and brought her a present and a card, but to change things up a little I asked her for an interview for my blog. She agreed and opened up to me in ways she never has. It caught me off guard so much I forgot many of my questions and couldn’t find my list of question. As a corrections officer you learn to adapt to a situation and be creative. So I winged it. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
Q: What year were you born?
A: 1924
Q: Tell me one thing you remember about Grandpa and Grandma Jackson?
A: Well, me and Sis would call Daddy Santa Clause, because he would always bring us something, (smile). He passed away in a house fire when I was six and Sis was three. I don’t remember too much about Momma because she died in a car wreck when I was younger than six. Oh, Daddy used to sit out by his shed and just watch people move throughout the neighborhood.
Q: After Grandpa and Grandma passed away is this when you moved to Olathe with Grandma Beechem and Aunt Willa (Big Mamma)?
A: Yes.
Q: What was school like?
A: I went to an all black grade school, Lincoln Elementary until 9th grade. Only a few of us went on with school, maybe 3 or 4. The rest of the children went to work or stopped going to school.
Q: What were your favorite Subjects?
A: I liked them all. I’ll tell you one thing, students didn’t talk back to the teachers because you would get punished at school and when you got home, good Lord!
Q: How did the students treat you? I read an article from the newspaper stating you had for graduated at the top of your class. It said a few of the white students had given you some money. You should have been valedictorian right, never mind I forgot what year it was.
A: Yes it was 1941, the students didn’t bother us too much.
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: I went to Pittsburgh State University for a year.
Q: Why only a year?
A: I couldn’t handle the pressure of the prejudice, from the professors, students and community.
Q: What did you do after that?
A: Our country was at war so I worked in the Sunflower Plant.
Q: What did you guys make there and were you hoping for better living conditions, being an equal in society?
A: Well, I have no idea what we made in the plant. They told us to put this on that and put in there etc. and we did it. Of course were hoping this would give us more equality when the war was over, but it didn’t happen.
Q: After the war what did you do?
A: I cleaned houses for Mrs. Ann’s.
Q: Mrs. Ann’s?
A: Well, with a chuckle, Sis and I would help Bigma clean houses and we called all the women of the house Mrs. Ann’s. (I laughed)
Q: When the Civil Rights Movement began what did you think of the young Dr. King?
A. He was the right man for the job. He brought the world into the crimes being bestowed on us. We only wanted to live and not be second or third class citizens.
Q: Did you know Daddy before the Civil Rights Movement?
A: Yes, but he was younger than Ada (Daddy’s sister) and I didn’t pay any attention to him cause we were doing our thang. (She laughed)
Q: I know we didn’t delve into all of the wrong treatment you were subject to and I know there were many instances. Your generation and the generation after yours have documented reasons to have issues with white people. You raised nine children, why didn’t you pass on some hatred, mistrust or revenge for treatment to us?
A: Without hesitation this beautiful woman said: “The good Lord made us all!”
This is why I treat people the way I do. Many people may think it is a front, but I treat people the way I want to be treated. My mother is my hero, roll model and the gauge I use to judge the success of my life. With all of her wisdom every person deserves a chance. I will never prejudge anyone and honestly it’s not my place to judge any way. So I believe everyone should take some time out and speak to your elder statesman/woman of your family, maybe, just maybe we may all learn something to pass on to this new generation. If not they will be forever lost.
I’m jus sayin
Stop blaming the White Man, It’s Black History Month!
We have ventured through almost half of the month of February, (black history month). Needless to say many of the celebrations I’ve witnessed have been on television. How many African-American young men and men between the ages of 15-29 even know about the month of February? How many African-American adults have taken the time to explain the history of our people to their children?
I conversed with a young African-American man today which prompted me to write this blog. We began to speak about history and there was an older African-American man standing there. I asked the older gentleman to explain to him what it was like for him to grow up, the young man interrupted him and said, “I was born in 1987, I don’t care about that shit!” I didn’t know whether to punch him in the mouth or toss him to the side as society has done already. I chose to punch him in the mouth with a short to the point history lesson. Once I finished he walked away shaking his head saying, “I wish someone would have told me this shit before!”
I’m a self-proclaimed nerd and I like to research facts from all directions. An astonishing trend I’ve happened on is the incarceration rate and homicide rate of African-American young men and men between the ages of 15-29. What many of the young African American men I’ve conversed with have placed the blame either on the judicial system or the “white” man holding them down.
The judicial system is far from perfect and I agree it needs to be overhauled, but when it comes to the “white” man, I can’t buy it. From the 1700′s to the 1970′s, maybe some in the 80′s and 90′s; lynchings, castration, medical experimentation, separate and unequal conditions, quality employment and housing, known police brutality/homicides made life hell for ALL African-American men. I could name several other issues of those times, but this blog is not about those issues.
This blog is about holding ourselves accountable for our own actions. Edmond Burke lived from 1729-1797. He stated and I quote:“Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” I used to believe the Civil War which took place on America’s soil, which had family members killing one another because of a belief and way of life was the apex of self-destruction in our nations history. The Civil War was not simply over slavery. Slavery played a very small role in the conflict. Today, I believe it is the death and incarceration of young African American men at the hands of themselves, which makes Edmond Burkes’ quote ring true in every corner of the United States.
Here are some facts, but I’m not going to muddle this blog with numbers: Black victims of homicide were most likely to be male (85%) and between ages 17 and 29 (51%). Homicides against blacks were more likely than those against whites to occur in highly populated areas, including cities and suburbs.About 53% of homicides against blacks in 2005 took place in areas with populations of at least 250,000 people, compared to about 33% of homicides of white victims. Blacks were killed with a firearm in about 77% of homicides against them.
We are exterminating ourselves. We are having our own Civil War and don’t own any of the property we are killing over. We sell death to our own people and in some cases our parents. It is too hard for me to believe this trend can not be turned around. It is hard for me to believe we are letting all the people who passed before us to make things better die for absolutely no reason. We have a tendancy to want shit to be given to us instead of building up our community, we would rather ride through it and shoot it up or sell drugs in it. There’s no more self-pride as a people. We do not take care of one another, support one another, nor reach back and show someone the proper way anymore. I believe there are no excuses for any of our people to destroy our community, heritage and way of life. It didn’t take overnight to get here and it’s not going to take overnight to come out of the self extermination. We have lost almost two generations to self loving, bling bling, no respect for women, believing prison is the place to be and selling dope or rapping is the only way to make it. There’s no need for those whites who literally hate African Americans to do anything harmful to us because we are doing it to ourselves.
Are there solutions? Of course. Do I have all the answers? No, but you best believe I have some suggestions. #1. Get a quality education. Parents make sure your child is actually being taught properly and is college ready when they graduate. No child left behind graduates functional illiterates. #2. Open your own businesses. #3 Support African-American Businesses. #4. If there is a community of white people out of the city limits, it does not mean they are all prejudice. They don’t want to live in an area where gun shots are a nightly occurence and they have the means to move away. #5. Just because you live in the “hood” doesn’t mean it has to look like the hood. #6. If you do run into a prejudice person, fuck’em, they are a dying breed, but as long as we stay divided for what ever reason they will have the luxury to express themselves. There will always be the closet racist. #7 Believe in one another and not only is there safety in numbers, but in today’s political climate there is also power.
Stand up and be counted, not in a prison roll call, but as a productive citizen. It’s not being an “Uncle Tom” if you have a job and pay taxes. It’s called being a man and taking care of your family. Dropping out of society into the prison system because you killed another African-American for drugs, drug money, stolen goods, dice game, card game makes you the slave. Let’s see, McDonald’s pays $7.25 per hour more in some places and prison pays 35 cents a day or an hour, I’m not sure. I’m beginning to ramble because I’m tired so I’m shuttin up for now.
jus sayinI’m
Black History
Learning the true history of the world would provide a clear understanding of the many different contributions that came from various cultures and peoples around the world. White supremacy has elevated the European culture while downplaying and attempting to destroy other cultures. Let’s look at the African culture and pay tribute to their awesome accomplishments in technology and math, which led to the establishment and maintenance of classic infrastructure. Then try to understand the exceptional manner in which they governed their affairs and the significance of their impact on the advancement of their civilization and these various cultures around the world.
According to Dr. Leaky, the European paleontologist who discovered Lucy, the oldest set of human bones ever found on this planet, Africa is the birthplace of the human family. According to Mendel, the European scientist who proved that dark genes are dominant and light genes are recessive, Africans are the original people, and the parents of all human beings. According to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the African prophet who brought a sense of self worth to millions of Blacks in America, Black people are the original people and they have been on this planet for trillions of years. The original people were created in the image of God, and as Gods chosen people he gave them the knowledge to create and advance all of the arts and sciences, including the concepts of theory, time, language and structures. Those original people were very dark Black people. They called the land where they lived the home of the burnt and dark skinned people. A place that is commonly known as Kemet among Black scholars.
The great ancient African civilizations consisted of knowledge and wisdom that was so powerful that it provided the diagrams for most of the wonders of the world, and also the foundations for society as we know it today. These great civilizations produced great African Kings such as Akhenaton, the world’s greatest social reformer. He was a wizard at administration and he loved life so much that he outlawed warfare. His respect for God and love for life was evident in his admiration for nature and animals; he was such a spiritual man that he would not even hurt a flower. The knowledge from God and the will to submit to his wisdom paved the way for Akhenaton to become such a great leader, since the African peoples shared his spirituality they were blessed by God and encouraged to build the pyramids, the sphinx and a variety of great temples with beautiful ancient artifacts within. The Europeans were amazed at these structures and the calculations required in constructing these monumental architectural phenomena, even though, they cannot figure out how the Africans accomplished these great feats during ancient times. The Europeans gave up trying to understand Gods knowledge along with the advanced African civilizations and began attempts to make the structures appear as though they would reflect European heritage. They even went as far as chipping away at the nose of the sphinx and claiming that Egypt was a European civilization.
Chiekh Anta Diop, the great Senegalese Historian, Egyptologist and Paleontologist insisted on proving to the European educators and scholars, once and for all, that Egypt was undeniably of Black African heritage, and that Europeans should bring an immediate halt to chipping away at the great African wonders of the world and accept Africa as the home of spirituality and higher learning. Europeans have been successful in reserving a place for Aristotle, Plato and Socrates as the great thinkers of early times but documentation proves that they received their training in higher education from Africa. In 1974 Diop also told them he could prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Egypt was located in Africa and that Egyptians were Black people. When Diop told them he could prove this by obtaining pigment from the mummies, the Europeans had to agree on the fact that Egypt and all of the ancient civilizations along the Nile were in Africa and populated by Black people, until the bastardization of the African continent began with European invasions.
A few of the glorious ancient African civilizations that flourished in Africa were Ghana, Mali and Songhai. Ghana is a West African country that is known for its abundance of wealth in gold. Though she is rich in wealth and has priceless traditions, Ghana took a turn for the worst when invasions began. Ghana and most African nations today exist as nations in turmoil plagued by persistent poverty, mounting debt, political instability and overwhelming problems like famine and disease, which came as a result of slavery and colonialism. The ASANTE Empire controlled most of the territory until the British arrived. Their rich tradition included communal land holdings by lineages or clans and they commanded the loyalty of their peoples. The AKAN peoples were matrilineal, while the GA, the EWE and most other northern groups were patrilineal. The matrilineal cultures were led by strong Black women leaders that Africans were proud to uplift. This is a custom that is favorable throughout Africa. The African traditionalists were pleased with their women leaders and warriors, just as African-Americans are proud of their women leaders today.
Mali covers territory of the former French Sudan. It was a prime location for the early trade between African nations. It also flourished as a result of the trade in gold. By 500 BC the agriculturalist along the Niger and the Senegal River valleys developed the skills to make use of metals, (copper, iron and gold). The ability to mine and develop precious metals was the basis for prosperity in ancient trading centers such as Djenne’-Jeno. According to oral traditions from the MANDINKA, Sundiata Keita gained control of the lucrative Sub-Saharan trade. In the early 14th century Mali was at her high point under Mansa Musa 1. Mali extended from the Atlantic Ocean to Gao along the middle Niger. Mali was a federation of kingdoms that came together under one king.
Songhai is also a West African Nation that prospered from its salt and gold in the trade arena at the great trade cities of Djenne’, Gao and Tombouctou. In the late 15th century the empire was led by SUNNI All, after his death the empire was taken over by Muhammad I Askia, who was from a Mande-speaking tribe. These new rulers were kin to the peoples who controlled Mali. They were Muslim rulers who reached their greatest potential in having an empire stretch from Kanem- Bornu and the Rausa states in the east to the upper Senegal River in the west, which included the salt mining area of Teghazajn, the desert to the north. The ancestors of the Songhai established a kingdom on the Niger bendas as early as the 7th century C.E.
As Europeans began exploring and trading with Africans they were mystified at the beauty of Africa and the efficiency in which the Africans governed their land and peoples. Europeans became preoccupied with taking the land and resources from the Africans. They developed the evil practices of slavery and colonialism to carry out their desires to rape Africa, her people and her riches. The greatest lie the world has ever known came when Europeans tried to cover up their evil practices, claiming they were civilizing the dark African continent. A part of reparations should include European educators and scholars writing and lecturing on the true history of the world. Africans had gone through 24 great dynasties before the first sign of European intelligence arrived on the planet in 850 BC with the Odyssey and the Illiad. Africans were living in a state of peace and in tune with nature when the first act of European aggression came from the Roman invasion in 332 BC. The Greeks did go to Africa in 525 BC, but they went with the intent of learning and seeking trade. The Greek civilization owes all of her heritage to the African peoples, as do all the other nations of the world.
The proof lies in the father of medicine. Many European scholars and educators have labeled Hippocrates as the father of medicine. That is why doctors are sworn in with the Hippocratic Oath, however, the true father of medicine is Imhotep. Hippocrates has even written that he was a student of the great Imhotep, so how can Hippocrates be the father of medicine and unfortunately the lies have never stopped. There is proof of an early African presence in every culture on earth, from the olmecs in America to the wa and the twa in far east countries. The truth will show that man originated in Africa and branched out across the earth.
There have been many lies past on from generation to generation that have upheld false ideals for white supremacy, while these same lies have been used to degrade and depress Black people. They range from lies like Christopher Columbus discovering America to lies like whites are intellectually superior to Blacks. African-American adults are at a crucial stage in their lives. Their parents and their hip-hop generation have contributed a great deal to the dilemma and dialogue on race in America. The message was loud and clear with their parents in the Black Power Movement when James Brown said, “Say it Loud”, “O’m Black and a’m proud”. The message was also clear in the “Self-Destruction” compilation message sent by a multitude of hip-hoppers. Their parents called for self-esteem among their people, while their hip-hoppers called for self-determination. The African¬American adult message that is missing today should be to expose the lies and tell the truth.
The truth will permit Africans to know they have played a significant role in societies progressing since the beginning of time and in America becoming a superpower of the world today. They should strive to implement lessons that show the excellence of the African in the American educational system, from K-12, college and including professional diversity seminars. This will provide a light of hope for Black people in their own eyes and through the eyes of others in society, where citizens and residents of this nation can begin to respect Black people, and African-Americans will also find an aspiration to pursue the American dream. It is not healthy for Blacks or Whites to continue to allow lies to be forced on the American public. A mutual respect can materialize among the races if the truth is told. Blacks do not have to have rebellions and riots in order to have the truth told. All they have to do is form an organization with the purpose of looking out for the best interest of their people. When they form this organization where the members are genuinely concerned about the well being of Blacks and their communities, Whites and others will join and support them in their effort, because the people in this nation know Blacks have been treated very bad for a very long time, and that they should receive some type of compensation for enduring the hostilities and legalities that have prevented them from having peace, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. Let’s look at the condition of Black people today and see if we can find correlations between the way Blacks were treated on slave ships, during slavery, the Jim Crow era and today. The one constant a person can find as it relates to Africans and the way they have been treated in America, during and since slavery is racism. They should form the Reparations Union to address the institutional and systematic problems that racism has created. Understanding the African culture from an African perspective will provide the incentive for Blacks to mobilize in mass numbers to deal with issues facing their people. A special thanks goes out to these two great scholars for initiating that difficult task. They are our pioneers on presenting the truth about Africa and her peoples.
The War is here at home!
I have struggled with the concept of sending our young men and women off to another country to either set them free from an oppressor or to nation build. Our young service men and women serve with valor and honor, while their families sit at home wondering if the next knock on the door or telephone call will be the most terrible news of all, the death of their loved one.
I decided to take a look at the several wars going on around the world. As in my last post I pointed out Rwanda and the travesty in Haiti. During my reasearch I came across some astounding numbers which will support my theory of taking care of home first. I hope the numbers do not bore you while you read, I hope it makes you as outraged as I am. I was astonished at first then I became angry. Our media outlets have basically left an entire segment of our population out in the cold. The wars happening all over the world are terrible on their own, but we have a war which has gone on for over 40 years on our own soil in the richest state in the union. California! Before you pass judgement on the Bloods and Crips look at the numbers I will present to you and it will only be human nature for you to form an opinion.
I chose only one county, just one. Los Angeles County home to where these gangs were born. Many people believe they sprung up because of the movie “Colors,” or some misguided young men who just wanted to rob and steal. It’s a hell of a lot deeper than that. The 1940′s brought many of the African-American families from the south to California where they believed they would have a better chance at living out the “American Dream.” They found employment in war-time plants which provided income and allowed them to buy homes and send their children to college. However, the racism did not resemble the lynching as it did in the south but segregated housing. Housing communities would have in their contracts stating African-American families could not by homes in certain areas. The majority of African-Americans ended up in L.A. County in poor built housing communities. It was fine for them because they were employed, businesses lined the streets and they were being productive whether society wanted them to be a part of it or not. Once the war ended the plants were converted to automobile factories, which still provided employment. The late 1950′s several groups like the “Spook Hunters,” began to spring up and enter the peaceful neighborhoods of the African Americans and harass even throw bricks at them. This spawned African American clubs like the Slausons, Boss men and Gladiators. The 1960′s ushered in a new era of police brutality. The police chief was from down south and specifically recruited officers from the south. For self protection and in an attempt to control their own political destiny African American groups begin to spring up in several cities across the United States. Most notable the Black Panthers. The Panthers wanted to ensure the safety of their community from police brutality and wanted their communities to be self reliant. J. Edgar Hoover made it a top priority to destroy the Panthers because he viewed them and I quote, “The most dangerous organization on American soil!” Once counterintelligence was utilized on the organization, leaders were either jailed, killed or exiled. Every African American leader who had the ability to unite people were assisinated during this time, Malcom X, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bunchie Carter and the list is endless. From this destruction of the Panthers appeared a vacuum. This void was filled by a different breed of young men. These young men watched their parent take the beatings, watched their fathers be treated less then men, watched their communities slowly fall into decay as companies exited taking with them jobs. The first notable group of young men called themselves “Crips!” As the ocean ebbs and flows, the ying is with the yang and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction rose another group called the “Bloods!” How the war between the two factions is still sketchy, but it began.
In L.A. County alone there are over 1076 gangs, 80,716 known gang members ranging from the age of 10 to 76 years of age. From 1996 – 2006 the District Attorney’s Office Gang Crime and Violence report dated April 2008, there were 5078 gang related DEATHS. ICasualties.org reports from 2003 – 2010, coalitions forces have had a total of 6204 deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. This is one county in California verses two Wars. What do you see wrong with this picture. Also, during the years of 2003-2004 there were 23,762 high school drop outs in L.A. County. Many of these young folks are shot at on the way to school or shot at on the way home. This is a very sad state of affairs right here in the United States and our government is worrying about spreading democracy and there is none here at home?
To me it is simple sociology and psychology. If a person is to feel nonexistent in every aspect of their lives what type of people do you think will emerge from the conditions? If they are subject to live in most horrible conditions where police are allowed to beat, plant evidence and some cases kill them, what type of people will emerge from the conditions?If they are given weapons not even made in this country provided drugs to sell (research Freeway Ricky Ross and the Iran - Contra Scandal), what type of people will emerge from the conditions? There are at least five generations of gangs in L.A. County, do you really think there is a choice?
I am getting long winded again and it may be the reason I don’t get many responses, I get view, but not responses. I will close with this. I used only one county from one state in the union. Think of all the states and counties in the union, is this our own form of government sactioned genocide? If there is no remedy in sight our country will implode.
Reports of 500,000 to 1,000,000 people were slaughtered and thousand of others displaced into tent cities in Ethiopia. Do you believe the current administration is doing the right thing by giving so much attention to the country of Haiti? Do you believe the previous administrations neglected Rwanda? If so, why? The Clinton administration did not allow genocide to happen in Kosovo. On the day of the Columbine shootings, the Clinton administration dropped a record amount of ordinance on the “insurgence,” in Kosovo.
I decided to add to this post the more I thought about the situation in Haiti. Last night there was a telethon to help those in Haiti, everyone and their brother was on it. PLEASE do not take my questioning the aide as not supporting it, but why wasn’t there a world-wide cry for help when the greatest disaster on american soil took place. Yes, I’m talking about Hurricane Katrina. No medical care, people watching their parents and children die before their eyes. Communities shooting at those displaced because of flood waters saying they are not welcome in their communities. Now they are asking for people to adopt Haitian Orphans, please! There are still people displaced all over the United States because of Katrina. Families separated, children orphaned, homes and business destroyed, people still living in trailers at the risk of their health, schools have not been rebuilt. It still looks like a disaster down there. Only MTV, VH1 and BET aired telethon. ABC, CBS and NBC did not take part. Why does the government, hollywood and the average american citizen refuse to take care of their own? Or are people of color in america still considered “second” or “third” class citizens now? Without a doubt his reaction and out cry shows me we are not worthy of support, aide or help. It would almost be easier to return to separate but equal conditions, at least we would have lines and nothing would be blurred giving us the illusion we are equal in their eyes. Board rooms across america show this, big business show this, the United States Senate show this, the prisons and sentencing show this, traffic stops show this, the job market show this. We have an american President who is a product of an interracial marriage and the country believes it has came a long way from it’s past. I’m sorry, as soon as he attempted to pass something which would benefit minorities he was quickly reminded of the old rule of thumb, “one drop of black blood makes you black!” And he has been treated as such. Is this the america I believe in? No. I believe in the america that has a statue of liberty with the inscription on her stating:
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
If our countrymen truly believe in this inscription or as the bill of rights states, which has been repeated by Dr. King and President Lincoln: ”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!” We should be the america I believe in.
By attacking this travesty the way the world has, we have the nerve to debate about health care for everyone in this country and the cost. There’s no return on the investment assisting the Haitians, but doing the right thing. So, should it be different for United States Citizens to do the right thing by taking care of it’s own?
I’m jus sayin
Is this really 2010, or 1970?
I ask this questions because there are so many similarities. The hijacking of airplanes – people attempting to blow airplanes out of the sky. Trial of a massacre in a Vietnamese village – Blackwater and the other war crimes occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan. The first ecological awareness by Ralf Nader – Global warming. The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld testimony of a white police officer, who did not see the defendant, but stated, “he sounded black!” – Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid’s comments from 2008 recently reported, “ Barack Obama should seek — and could win — the White House because Obama was a “light-skinned” African-American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one!” The last one…African Americans, blacks or negros whichever you choose to use made up 12% of the population then and 80% of the prison population then and now.
Will there ever be progress, equality or respect for people who look different, have a different faith? Or will we continue to repeat history over and over again? A very, very smart man once said, ““The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!”
I’m jus sayin
National Health Care/ Housing Bubble
One of the raging debates going on in Washington is about health care. I was listening to good ole Glen Beck on the radio the other day and an unidentified health insurance agent said, “illegal immigrants are able to get health insurance by using their identification number from their homeland!” Also during the radio show an unidentified bank home loan officer stated exactly the same thing.
Now, I believe anyone who comes to this country contributing to the economic wealth, safety, and are law-abiding should have a chance. Many immigrants do jobs we americans believe we are too “good” to do. Without their work ethic and determination we would not be able to enjoy certain things we enjoy.
What makes it wrong for them to get health care, home loans and build a life in this country? Are we so pompous to believe we do not need them? Would it benefit our country to set up a realistic screening system to allow workers to stay in our country or do we stand by and watch thousands die as they attempt to sneak into our country?
Also on the radio show Glen Beck stated they were the reason why the housing bubble burst, because they weren’t able to afford the loan. When the loan officer attempted to correct him and say the immigrants made their payments on time and even ahead of time most of the time, he kept cutting her off. He spouted, “YOU SEE TEA BAGGERS, THIS IS THE REASON THE HOUSING CRUNCH HAPPENED. BANKS GIVING LOANS TO IMMIGRANTS!” The poor caller tried and tried to correct him and he finally cut her off and went on his usual rant.
It is proven we can not stop illegals from coming to the country right or wrong they are here.
What do we do now?
